Student of the Season - Winter 2025

Catrina is our Student of the Season this winter. Catrina has been having lessons since year 10 and is going from strength to strength having achieved an A in her recent mock exam. We asked Catrina all about her Spanish journey.

🔆Why did you start learning Spanish?

I started learning Spanish because it’s such a widely spoken language and felt genuinely useful beyond school. I was drawn to the idea of being able to communicate with people from different cultures, and Spanish felt accessible while still challenging. It also stood out to me as a language that opens doors for travel and future opportunities.

🔆What’s been the most difficult thing to learn?

The most challenging thing to learn has been grammar, particularly mastering verb tenses and applying them accurately in different contexts. Remembering endings and applying them accurately while speaking or writing can be challenging, particularly under exam conditions.

🔆What’s been the easiest thing to learn?

Vocabulary has been the easiest area for me, especially because of the similarities between Spanish and English. Once I developed a strong vocabulary base, it became much easier to understand texts and express ideas more confidently.

🔆What’s your best tip for anyone starting to learn Spanish?

My best advice would be to practise consistently and actively. Regular exposure to the language, even in small amounts, is more effective than last minute revision. I’d also encourage learners to embrace mistakes, as they are an essential part of improvement.

🔆What’s been your best tool when trying to learn the tricky topics?

My best tool has been applying grammar in context rather than learning rules in isolation. Practising exam style questions, speaking aloud, and reusing complex structures has helped reinforce my understanding and improve accuracy.

🔆What do you hope to achieve in the future with regards to Spanish?

In the future, I want to be able to use Spanish confidently in real world situations, particularly when travelling. I would also like to continue developing my skills beyond GCSE so that Spanish remains a meaningful and valuable skill in the long term.

We are extremely proud of Catrina and impressed with her work ethic and dedication, attributes which will take her far. We wish her the best of luck for year 11 and can't wait to see what she manages in her GCSE exams this summer.

Well done Catrina!